Lifeboat-releasing device



Feb. 10, 1931. w, sw ms 1,791,576

LIFEBOAT RELEASING DEVICE Filed May 15, 1929 2 SheetsSheec l g Invenior fi LE? U LET M'fl/am M' By @mm Attorney Feb. 10, 1931. w. M.-SIMMS LIFEBOAT RELEASING DEVICE 2 Slwets-Slreet 2 Filed May 15, 1929 Patented Feb. 1Q, 1931 srars transit rarer FEE WILLIAWE M. SIMMS, OF ROXBU'RY, MASSACHUSETTS IIZFEBOAT-RELEASING DEVICE Application filed May 15,

This invention relates to improvements having to do with life boat constructions, such as are employed on various species of water-crafts It has more particular reference to a novel releasing means such as is especially made for cooperation with block and tackle hoisting and lowering devices.

It is a matter of common knowledge that under ordinary conditions appropriate standards are mounted on the decks of a carrier boat and suspended from these through the medium of block and tackle structures is a life boat. The purpose of this invention is to provide means for cooperation with the suspension hooks of the block and tackle structures, which means is expressly made for facilitating detachment of the life boat when it strikes the water.

In carrying the invention into practice, I have developed what I believe to be an unusually practical structural arrangement, characterized by a new organization of details which are associated and functionally cooperate in providing a life boat releasing device which is easy to operate, dependable in action, and capable of fulfilling the requirements of an invention of this class in a highly satisfactory manner. The particular details and their cooperation will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a life boat showing the supporting means with the releasing means in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, showing the principal details of said releasing means.

Figure 3 is an end view of the upper part of the structure seen at the left in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is aperspeotive view of the releasable bolt.

In the drawings, and in Figure 1, the reference characterfi designates the customary supports or standards from which block and tackle structures 6 are suspended. These in clude the usual hoisting and lowering cables 7. The life boat is generally designated by the reference character 8. In accordance with the present invention, I provided horizontal 1929. Serial No. 363,349.

shelf-like partitions in the bow and stern of the life boat, the same being arranged midway between the top and bottom, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. Each shelf is designated by the reference character 9.

Attached to the shelf as seen in Figure 2, is a bracing bolt 10, whose headed. end extends down through the bottom 11 of the life boat. In carrying the invention into practice, I provide a pair of duplicate suspension devices. A description of one will suftlce for both. For instance, as seen in Figure 2, the reference character 12 designates a vertical yoke, fastened to the shelf 9 and surrounding the upper screw threaded end of the bolt 10. The upper ends of the arms of this are pro vided with holes to accommodate the releasable bolt 13. This bolt is adapted to be engaged by the suspension hook let, on the lower end of the block and tackle'structure. The bolt as seen in Figure 4 comprises a cylindrical stem portion 15 and a spreader head 16 at one end with a flange 17 at the opposite end. Mounted on the left hand arm of the yoke 12 are segmental latches 18 and 19, pivotally connected thereto as at 20. These have arcuate pin and slot connections at 21. A spring 22 maintains the latches engaged with the groove adjacent the head 16. In this way the bolt 13 is maintainer in place. ()perat ing cables 23 and 24 are provided and extend in opposite directions to operate the devices at the opposite ends of the life boat. Each cable includes a shelf section 26 connected to the adjacent end of the bolt 13 and an adjtlStillQ' turn buckle 27 and section 28 connected with the trip device. This device coniprises an eccentric 29 pivotally connected at 30 to an appropriate extension bracket 81, which is attached to the middle of the side of the boat. This eccentri includes a handle lever 82 adapted to beswung up in the direction of the arrow for actuating the two cables. From this arrangement it is obvious that when the life beat islo-wered into the water in the usual way, and it is desired to release it from the suspension means, the operator merely grasps the lever 32and turns it up in the direction of the arrow seen in figure 2. This exerts an endwise pull on the cables 23 and 21- respectively.

The cam action produced by the head 16 acting on tho pivoted s iring pressed latches 18 and 19 permits disengagement of the latches and withdrawal of the bolt from its retaining yoke 12. It is obvious that the life boat is released to be rowed away or otherwise propelled in the water.

It is thought that persons familiar with structures of this class will be able to readily appreciate the advantages, construction, method of application and features of this lIlVGDtlOI]. Therefore a more lengthly de scription is believed unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, rearrangement and proportion may be resorted to, without departing from the scope of the adjoined claims, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a. structure of the class described, a boat, a shelf mounted in one end of the boat, a yoke supported upon and rigidly connected to said shelf, the arms of said yoke being formed with horizontal longitudinal bolt holes, one of said arms being provided with bolt retaining means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed latches pivoted to said arm, a spring normally holding said latches in. position against the bolt, a suspension bolt having its stem portion passing through said bolt holes and having a head on one end adapted to cooperate with said latches.

2. In a. structure of the class described, a boat, a shelf mounted in one end of the boat, a yoke supported upon and rigidly connected to said shelf, the arms of said yoke being formed with horizontal longitudinal bolt holes, one of said arms being provided with bolt retaining means comprising a pair of oppositely disposed latches pivoted to said arm, a spring normally holding said latches in position against the bolt, a suspension bolt having its stem portion passing through said bolt holes and having a head on one end adapted to cooperate with said latches, a bracket fastened to the intermediate portion of the boat, an eccentric trip device pivotally mounted on the bracket and operating cables connected to said device and the bolt.

3. In a structure of the class described, a boat, horizontal suspension shelves mounted in the opposite ends of said boat. ayoke attached to and rising from each of said shelves, the arms of said yokes being provided with horizontal longitudinal bolt holes, one of said arms on each of said yokes being provided with bolt retaining means, said means comprising a pair of complemental.

latches pivotally moi'inted on said arms, a spring for normally holding said latches in position, suspension bolts having their stem portions passing through said bolt holes and having a head on one end adapted to cooper ate with saidlatches. an. eccentric trip device \VILLIAM M. SIMMS. 

